The Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mr Farouk Salim, has canvassed for the strengthening of the pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria, through the development of standards that deal with the peculiar problem.
Salim made this call while delivering the maiden Public Lecture of the Dora Akunyili College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo. The lecture was themed: The Impact of Standards on the Practice of Pharmacy Profession.
He said the call became necessary as standard in the pharmaceutical sector was more crucial given its role in the care of the sick.
Salim who is also a pharmacist, regretted that only three percent of the drugs in the Nigerian market are produced locally.
He noted that, SON given its statutory function as the facilitator and enabler of standards and Secretariat of the Standards Council of Nigeria, was critical for the survival of the country’s industrial sector.
Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice Chancellor of the university, said the event signpost the commitment of the institution to scholastic engagement and community service aimed at strengthening its relationship with society.
He said the management of the university recently awarded a grant of N2.5 million to the College of Pharmacy for research and drug development.
The vice chancellor announced that, the college’s Cancer and Reproductive Research group was currently working on the development of therapeutics useful in easing labour, reducing postpartum haemorrhage and reduction in mother/child mortality/morbidity.
Russia earned nearly $100bn (£82.3bn) from oil and gas exports during the first 100 days of the war in Ukraine, according to a report.
Revenues have been falling since March, as many countries shunned Russian supplies, but remain high, the independent Centre For Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found.
It also warned of potential loopholes in efforts to curb imports from Russia.
The EU, US and UK are among those to have pledged to cut Russian imports.
But the CREA report found Russia still earned $97bn in revenue from fossil fuel exports in the first 100 days of the Ukraine conflict, from 24 February to 3 June.
The European Union made up 61% of these imports, worth approximately $59bn.
Overall, exports of Russian oil and gas are falling and Moscow’s revenue from energy sales has also declined from a peak of well over $1bn a day in March.
But revenues still exceeded the cost of the Ukraine war during the first 100 days – with the CREA estimating that Russia is spending around $876m per day on the invasion.
Contrary to speculations that the deadline for the ongoing registration of voters has been been extended to August 31, 2022, the deadline remains June 30, 2022.
Following clamour for extension of the deadline due to upsurge in the number of potential registrants and the attendant logistics hitches, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last week, said extension might be considered.
On Monday, online reports claimed the deadline had been extended prompting celebration in some quarters.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, the chief press secretary to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, when asked if it was true the deadline has been extended to August 31, 2022, said: “No. It is not true. The deadline for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is still 30th June. The online pre-registration service closed since 30th May.
“What the Commission has done to respond to the surge in numbers of those who want to register, is to deploy more INEC Voter Enrollment Devices (IVEDs) to areas where the pressure is highest.
“These areas are all the states in the South-East region, Kano, Lagos and the FCT.”
A Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr. Folakemi Cole-Adeife, says the main principle for taking care of albinism skin is sun protection.
He said this, as Nigeria joins the global community today to mark the 2022 International Albinism Awareness Day.
According to the dermatologist, mothers of children with albinism need to be educated on how to protect them from the sun, stressing that sun protection must start from birth.
International Albinism Awareness Day is observed by the United Nations on June 13 every year.
The day provides opportunity to highlight the plight of individuals with this genetic condition and advocate global support for all people living with albinism.
The theme of this year’s commemoration is: “United in making our voice heard.”
Albinism awareness day 2022
Speaking in an interview with in commemoration of the day, Dr. Cole-Adeife, said people with albinism should avoid walking outdoors between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is most intense to prevent skin damage.
Albinism, she said is a skin condition caused by a genetic mutation occurring in some people that makes their skin unable to produce enough melanin.
The dermatologist explained, “When people with albinism lack proper knowledge of caring for their skin, it quickly becomes damaged, freckled and thickened.
“Pre-cancerous skin lesions can occur as early as the second decade of life, and full-blown skin cancer can start in the second and third decades.
“These cancers can be fatal if not treated early. The main principle for taking care of albinism skin is sun protection and more sun protection. Sun protection must start from birth.
“Mothers with children with Albinism need to be educated on how to protect their children from the sun.”
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service says that because people with albinism lack melanin in their skin, they are at increased risk of getting sunburn and skin cancer.
The physician stated that children with albinism should be allowed to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers instead of shorts as their school uniform.
Dr. Cole-Adeife said, “They should also wear hats while in school and must not be required to do anything that will keep them under direct sunlight for long.
“Children with albinism should be permitted to sit as close to the teaching boards as possible due to their visual impairments.
“Sun protective clothing, hats and sunglasses must always be worn when outdoors. Good moisturisers and sunscreen creams are also extremely important, and sunscreen creams should be applied to sun-exposed areas (the face, neck and arms) every 3 hours during the day.”
She also suggested that umbrellas should also be used when outdoors during the day to proetect the skin of children witj albinism from the sun.
Giving further insight into ways of taking care of albinism skin, the physician noted, “Whenever people with albinism develop skin rashes or sores, especially when it lasts longer than one month, they must see a dermatologist as soon as possible to exclude the possibility of skin cancer.
“Most skin cancers are easily treated in the early stages with topical medications, but surgical treatment is required once they become extensive.
“It is recommended that people with albinism visit a dermatologist every six months for a full skin check.
“The doctor will look at their skin from head to toe to ensure that there is no suspicious rash or skin lesion so that if there is, it can be treated as quickly as possible, either with topical creams, cryotherapy or surgical excision.”
According to her, a Nigerian with albinism is 1000 times more likely to develop skin cancer than a normally pigmented black Nigerian.
Dr. Cole-Adeife pointed out that early skin cancer detection in people with albinism saves lives and is much cheaper than late-stage skin cancer treatment.
Albino and Dark skin Twins
According to an online health portal, the main symptoms of albinism are the damage to the vision and the color of the skin, hair, and eyes.
“The most obvious sign of albinism is a lighter skin tone, although this is not always the case. In some people, levels of melanin slowly increase. But, an individual’s skin may burn easily in the sun,” the portal added.
The physician said the estimated prevalence of albinism worldwide is one to 15,000 people, while in Nigeria, it is thought to be about one in 10,000 people.
The dermatologist says people with albinism should not be discriminated against in any way, sressing that they should rather be supported and encouraged by parents, relatives, classmates, bosses, coworkers, government, and religious bodies.
According to the United Nations, people with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide.
“Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically.
“The physical appearance of persons with albinism is often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster their marginalisation and social exclusion.
“This leads to various forms of stigma and discrimination,” the UN said.
The Executive Governor of Anambra State Prof Chukwuma Soludo has called on residents of the state to join the fight against Malaria.
Soludo while speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of free Insecticide Treated Net (ITN’s), held in Awka said, it is not just the responsibility of government alone but that of every citizen.
Soludo stated that, the net will be distributed in communities, called on traditional rulers, President Generals and Youth leaders to ensure adequate and proper distribution, stating that they will play a major role in the success of this mission.
“Health is wealth and this is part of the programs for healthy living and for us to have health of mind and body.
“Personal hygiene and public health are vital. There are certain things we need to do ourselves to stay healthy. Eating well and regular exercise.
“Our environment matters. We need to sustain it. We need to clear all garbage’s and stagnant water in our gutters because these are where mosquitoes are breed. We must constantly clean our environment.
“Anambra State government is working hard to keep the state and it’s environs clean. The campaign for zero malaria is a fight for all. In few years to come, we are hoping to have zero malaria in Anambra state,” he added.
The African Institute of Public Health Professionals (AIPHP), has expressed determination to strengthen the performance of health professionals through various leadership and management skills to meet the latest global health challenge.
Prof. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, Chairman, Governing Council of AIPHP, said this in Abuja at the beginning of a three days training workshop for health professionals.
Alemu said, the training became imperative to equip health professionals not only in Nigeria but other African countries with robust mix of leadership competencies, skills and behaviours.
The Registrar of the Institute, Mr Ayodele James, said that the leadership challenges in the health sector in Africa must be tackled for it not to linger.
He said participants should at the end of the training be able to take up their leadership positions with vigor and strength.
Prof. Abdulraheem Ibraheem in his presentation titled, Leading by example: Personal effectiveness required of a good leader, said leaders must always make sound judgments to salvage situations.
Ibraheem listed other qualities of a good leader to include setting positive examples, looking out for the well being of others and developing a sense of responsibility in your team members.
The training workshop had in attendance the Ministry of Health, National Primary Healthcare, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other health stakeholders.
Nigeria’s Democracy Day marks the day the military handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999, marking the beginning of the longest continuous civilian rule since Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule in 1960.
Since June 6, 2018, this National observance day has been held on June 12 and is designated as a public holiday to commemorate the restoration of democracy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
At the Justice, Development and Peace Centre Lagos, their colloquium themed “Prebendal Politics, Challenges of National Consensus: Elections as a Galvanising Force for Social Transformation” held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI).
The Justice, Development and Peace Centre, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos (hereinafter referred to as JDPC Lagos) is the social arm of the Catholic Church responsible for responding to the social issues affecting persons within Lagos State, Nigeria’s south-west.
This year’s celebration was to ignite discussions on contemporary political issues, sensitise the electorate and promote active participation in the 2023 general elections.
It was enlightening and featured erudite speakers and civil society activists and anchored by Public Affairs Analyst and Media Consultant, Achike Chude.
National Universities Commission, NUC, has approved 31 out of 37 courses presented to it by the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, for accreditation.
Meanwhile the Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu has received encomiums for bringing sustainable reforms to the state education sector, which were fast yielding positive results.
The Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Education, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this while reacting to the excellent 96.0 per cent performance of LASU in the recently released National Universities Commission’s (NUC) Comprehensive Accreditation Exercise for the year 2021.
Wahab who was full of appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for changing the face of education in the state, noted that the current administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda “is the fastest and most effective strategy in achieving transformational governance in the current democratic experience.”
Wahab noted that the state government’s investment in education as the third pillar of the Sanwo-Olu THEMES’ development agenda has repositioned the state education to become the model for the country.
According to the Special Adviser, “Out of 37 courses of the Lagos State University, LASU, presented by the University Authority for accreditation before NUC during October/ November 2021 NUC Academic Programmes Accreditation Exercise for Nigerian Universities, 31 of those courses representing 96.0 per cent got NUC full accreditation status.”
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ibiyemi Bello, responding to thenews of NUC’s approval, said such excellent feat is unprecedented in the history of the University since its 40 years of existence.
According to the notification of results letter, written by NUC to LASU and signed by its Director of Accreditation, Dr. Maryam Sali, which was made available to the press, “LASU, during the October/November 2021 Comprehensive Accreditation Exercise conducted across all Nigerian Universities, got full accreditation for 31 out of the 37 courses presented before the Commission with an excellent Grade of 96.0 per cent.
“Only 4 courses, accounting for about 10.8 per cent were still under interim accreditation status.”
LASU courses that had NUC full accreditation according to NUC notification letter include: Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration and Local Government and Development Studies.
In the Faculty of Arts, six courses of the University that gained NUC full accreditation include: Arabic Studies, Christian Religious Studies CRS, English Language, Islamic Studies, Yoruba Language and Music.
Other fully accredited courses include; Nursing Science, Psychology, Pharmacology, all the 14 courses in the Faculty of Education , Law, Mathematics and Physics.
Four courses of the University with NUC interim accreditation status according to Sali include: Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering, Common and Islamic Law, Theatre Arts and Philosophy.
The NUC Director of Accreditation while stressing the implications of accreditation status on various courses, explained that full accreditation for any course is valid for a period of five years while interim accreditation is valid for a period of two years after which the programmes or courses will be revisited for accreditation.
According to her, any programme that earns interim status after two visits shall be denied accreditation by the commission.
Professor Bello, while describing the 96.0 per cent accreditation success of the University as unprecedented, commended the state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his leadership quality and administrative excellence.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the University had witnessed progressive developments since the inception of Sanwo -Olu administration, noting that, LASU programmes were running smoothly without any interruption because the governor has been showing great commitment to the growth of education with adequate funding while prioritizing the welfare of staff and students in policy formulation.
Also, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Special Adviser on Education, Adeniran Kasali, urged the Management of LASU to reciprocate the state government’s continued funding of the university by working harder and ensure that the university maintains its status as the best state university in the country and one of the first five hundred in the world.
In his remarks, President elect of LASU Students’ Union Government, Adeoye Moses, a 300 Level Student in the Theatre Arts Department, attributed the success of the accreditation to the state government’s continued funding of tertiary education and the appointment of a hardworking educationist as the 9th Vice Chancellor of the University, Ibiyemi Bello.
Moses, while describing the success of the University’s new accreditation status as a huge one, assured that the students would work harder to ensure that the University retains its current status as one of the leading universities in Africa.
He advised them to shun vices capable of denting the image of the university before the international communities.
The United Kingdom’s controversial plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda as early as Tuesday is set to go ahead after the Court of Appeal in London confirmed an earlier decision to deny an injunction to block the first flight.
Britain’s government announced in April that it had agreed a deal to send asylum-seekers to the east African country. Those granted asylum would then be allowed to resettle in Rwanda.
The government insisted the program was aimed at disrupting people-smuggling networks and deterring migrants from making the dangerous sea journey across the Channel to England from France.
The plan sparked a wave of criticism from charities, religious leaders and international human rights groups, including the United Nations Refugee Agency. A small crowd of protesters gathered in front of the court on Monday.
A separate legal case brought by the charity Asylum Aid is also being considered by the High Court on Monday. Asylum Aid is seeking an urgent injunction to halt the flight to allow judicial review of the plan to be heard.
According to data from the UK’s Ministry of Defence, 28,526 people arrived in the UK on small boats in 2021.
Three persons collapsed on Monday during the military parade which held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, as part of the activities to mark the 2022 Democracy Day celebrations.
The individuals, drawn from the different units of the military, eyewitnesses say, may have succumbed after being weighed down owing to pressure, having been standing hours long before the commencement of the exercise in earnest.
The parade, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, was well under way when commotion broke out from behind one of the parties as some security and medical personnel were seen scrambling stretchers to move those who had collapsed for urgent medical attention.
They were rushed to the medical tents provided at the square where health officials eventually revived them.
It was not clear whether they were able to return to their duty posts for the continuation of their duties.
Meanwhile, the parade was performed by four military units including the Army, Navy, Air Force and a detachment drawn from the Police, with combat display performed by the Nigerian Army Female Corps as well as traditional dance display representing the main ethnic groups in the country.
President Buhari who was the Special Guest of Honour, thereafter inspected the guards, which was followed by a military/police march past in slow and quick time.
There was a combined silent drill display by the armed forces and police, a playlet performance before the parade advanced in review order.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan was among the dignitaries that witnessed the colourful ceremonies.
Babagana Kingibe, the running mate to the winner of the 1993 presidential election, M.K.O. Abiola, was introduced as former Vice President and requested to join in a group photograph with President Buhari, Jonathan, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Chief Justice of the Federation, Ibrahim Tanko, and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulahi Adamu
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